Honneth, Butler and the Ambivalent Effects of Recognition

McQueen, Paddy

doi:10.1007/s11158-014-9260-z

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…See alsoButler (2004c, p. 219).16 Here I brush over the differences between various theories of recognition with regard to how they conceive of recognition and of its importance for humans. I believe that these differences do not affect the general point I am trying to make here on Butler.17 On this general point I concur withMcQueen (2015).18 See also the insightful discussion of two forms of social critique that correspond to two different conceptions of power inSaar (2010). By stressing that a more complex critique of recognition relations is needed, I align myself with the general view put forth by Saar that a form of critique that does not only target domination but gives us "a more general assessment of power relations" is "broader in scope" and "useful for the project of a critical analysis of the social" (Saar, 2010, p. 7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 76%

An ideology critique of recognition: Judith Butler in the context of the contemporary debate on recognition

Lepold

2018

Constellations

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Recognition is a key concept in contemporary social and political thought. The fundamental insight associated with this concept is that we cannot really be who we are or who we want to be if others do not treat us in certain ways. We depend on others or, more specifically, on recognition by others, in order to be able to actualize our identities. If we do not find recognition or an appropriate form of recognition in our personal interactions or in the wider society, we are peculiarly constrained in our being. As Charles Taylor observes in his famous 1992 essay, "The Politics of Recognition," with regard to this dependence on the recognition by others: "Nonrecognition or misrecognition can inflict harm, can be a form of oppression, imprisoning someone in a false, distorted, and reduced mode of being" (Taylor, 1994, p. 25).In a similar vein, Axel Honneth describes cases of withheld recognition or misrecognition as instances of oppression as the individual concerned is rendered unable "to count as the person which he desired to be in terms of his Ego ideals" (Honneth, 1992, p. 199). As these brief remarks make clear, recognition is generally viewed as something positive. It is good for individuals to be recognized by others and not to be recognized, or not to be recognized in an appropriate way, has serious consequences. In the light of this, it appears self-evident that society should be criticized as to to whether it provides individuals with appropriate relations of recognition.Judith Butler is often referred to as a thinker who disputes the positive view of recognition prevalent today. The general opinion is that Butler advocates a view of recognition according to which recognition is not, or rather not only, enabling-as authors like Taylor or Honneth would have it-but also constraining and oppressive. The standard way of summarizing Butler's view is to say that for her recognition is somehow connected to or intertwined with power.In the eyes of some commentators, this makes Butler a proponent of a "negative theory of recognition," or at least of an "ambivalent account of recognition" (e.g.,

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confidence: 76%

An ideology critique of recognition: Judith Butler in the context of the contemporary debate on recognition

Lepold

2018

Constellations

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“…Despite the evident promise of recognition theory for understanding justice and social struggles, a number of theorists have argued that Honneth and Taylor both offer inadequate accounts of power that limits the effectiveness of their respective models (McNay, 2008;2014;McQueen, 2015a;2015b;Petherbridge, 2013;cf. van den Brink and Owen, 2007).…”

Section: (Iii) the Problem Of Recognition: Power Identity And The Selfmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is especially the case when we think that there are specific, natural and normative ways of being, say, a woman or a lesbian. Thus, recognition can become particularly problematic if we assume that what we are recognising are "true" or "real" selves and authentic identities (McQueen, 2015a). For all the evident importance of recognition, which Honneth and Taylor both highlight successfully, it remains a dangerous and complex social phenomenon that must, at the very least, be handled with care.…”

Section: (Iii) the Problem Of Recognition: Power Identity And The Selfmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Promise and Problem of Recognition Theory

McQueen¹

2017

The Persistence of Critical Theory

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_____________________________________________________________ This is an author produced version of a paper published in:The persistence of critical theory: Volume 8 of culture and civilization Cronfa URL for this paper: http://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48302 _____________________________________________________________ Book chapter : McQueen, P. (2017). The promise and problem of recognition theory. The persistence of critical theory: Volume 8 of culture and civilization, Routledge.

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“…However, there are two reasons why Honneth's theory is unsuitable for incorporation into radical gender theory. First, his theory is inattentive to the issues of power and its relationship to recognition, agency and identity (McNay, 2008;McQueen, 2015b;Petherbridge, 2013). Specifically, he posits recognition as separate to, rather than co-extensive with, relations of power.…”

Section: Reclaiming Recognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-identity politics and the social weightlessness of radical gender theory

McQueen

2016

Thesis Eleven

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This paper examines recent forms of post-identity thought within contemporary gender theory, specifically the works of Rosi Braidotti, Elizabeth Grosz and Bobby Noble. Despite the many insights that these theories offer, I argue that they suffer from what Lois McNay has labelled 'social weightlessness' insofar as their models of subjectivity and agency are disconnected from the everyday realities of social subjects. I identify two ways in which this social weightlessness is manifested in radical gender theories that endorse a post-identity politics: (i) they overlook the social and political importance to many individuals of establishing stable, coherent identities; (ii) they are unable to offer a satisfactory account of agency. I suggest that these issues arise, at least in part, from the anti-recognition stance adopted by such radical gender theorists. I argue that by incorporating a properly nuanced model of recognition back into their theories they can imbue their accounts with a properly grounded model of the subject that is responsive to the inequalities and oppressions that infuse the particular concrete contexts in which we experience and live out our identities.

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Honneth, Butler and the Ambivalent Effects of Recognition

Cited by 25 publications

References 16 publications

An ideology critique of recognition: Judith Butler in the context of the contemporary debate on recognition

An ideology critique of recognition: Judith Butler in the context of the contemporary debate on recognition

The Promise and Problem of Recognition Theory

Post-identity politics and the social weightlessness of radical gender theory

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